Active matrix metalloproteinase-7 is associated with invasion in buccal squamous cell carcinoma.
Protein microarrays have shown that matrix metalloproteinase-7 is upregulated in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas, but its role in local tissue invasion is still uncertain. We investigated the expression of active matrix metalloproteinase-7, using tissue microarray, immunohistochemistry, and western blotting, in oral tissues from 24 patients with buccal squamous cell carcinoma, and correlated the findings with clinicopathological features. Normal buccal tissue samples from the same patients, obtained at sites at least 1 cm from tumor tissue, served as normal controls. Total matrix metalloproteinase-7 was detected on western blots in 9 of 15 (60%) tumor tissue samples and in 2 of 15 (13%) normal mucosal samples; this difference was significant (P=0.008). Moreover, the active matrix metalloproteinase-7 was expressed only in eight of the nine (89%) tumor samples that expressed matrix metalloproteinase-7, and in none of the normal tissue samples, regardless of the expression status of the pro-matrix metalloproteinase-7. Immunostaining of matrix metalloproteinase-7 was observed histologically in both tumor and nonneoplastic epithelium, but immunostaining of active matrix metalloproteinase-7 was present only in tumor nests. Expression of active matrix metalloproteinase-7 was associated with larger tumor size (P=0.022) and was significantly higher in buccal squamous cell carcinoma with adjacent skin or bone invasion (P=0.036). In conclusion, active matrix metalloproteinase-7 expression was associated with more aggressive buccal squamous cell carcinomas.
Chuang
Hui-Ching
HC
Department of Otolaryngology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Kaohsiung Medical Center, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Niao-Song Hsiang, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Su
Chih-Ying
CY
Huang
Hsuang-Ying
HY
Huang
Chao-Cheng
CC
Chien
Chih-Yen
CY
Du
Yung-Ying
YY
Chuang
Jiin-Haur
JH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology*; D002610:Cheek / Q000473:pathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D020783:Matrix Metalloproteinase 7 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology*; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness / Q000473:pathology; D046888:Tissue Array Analysis
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C060932:MMP7 protein, human; D020783:Matrix Metalloproteinase 7